In Melbourne, all people will be able to move freely to communicate and trade without sacrificing essential social or ecological values. Melbourne’s connections will give people access to a rich seam of opportunities.

Overview

2 projected outcomes

2 progress indicators

4 priorities identified

17 actions for 2015–16

Delivered via 6 service areas, 6 strategies/plans

Our approach

The City of Melbourne manages movement in and around our city to help people trade, meet and move about safely and freely. We know that catering for our growing city and safeguarding its continued prosperity means planning for an efficient and sustainable transport network of the future.

Building a ‘connected city’ is about working closely with our partners and advocating for the free movement of people and goods in the city. It is about making it easier for more people to make more sustainable choices as they travel to and around the city, whether by foot, bicycle, tram or train.

Issues and challenges

Our Road Safety Plan actions have been implemented, with the exception of the proposed widening of the Spring Street footpath at Collins Street. This has been delayed indefinitely due to significant costs and complexities associated with relocating the Public Transport Victoria’s tram track ‘points’ controller. We completed 31 bicycle projects this year, with another nine currently under construction. Due diligence and preparatory research has been undertaken to investigate the strategic opportunities for Elizabeth Street, with the streetscape works at the Southern end being expedited.

Major initiatives include working with the Victorian Government on the Melbourne Metro Rail Project and coordinating our response to the Environmental Effects Statement planning process. We will also complete consultation and seek endorsement for the Elizabeth Street Strategic Opportunities Plan and deliver a detailed design for the southern end of Elizabeth Street.

Future Melbourne snapshot

How the city measures up as a ‘connected city’ based on: Shift to sustainable travel: proportion of trips of all purposes to and within the municipality using bus, train, tram, bicycle or walking as the main mode on weekdays and weekends.

Samples from regional Local Government Areas were removed from the survey for 2013-14 (and will be excluded from future surveys).

Trips made by bus, train, tram, bicycle, or on foot:

2012–13: 63.4%

2013–14: 62.5% (based on latest and updated available data from 2013–14, from the Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity)

Major initiatives

Our work on the Melbourne Metro Rail Project continues, including creating an organisation-wide response to Melbourne Metro Rail Authority’s (MMRA) Environment Effects Statement (EES) planning process. Our submission to the EES has been completed and will be presented for endorsement to the Future Melbourne Committee in July 2016. The Melbourne Metro Rail Project is a complex project affecting many areas throughout the municipality, and we are working closely with the MMRA and other key stakeholders, to support the successful planning and delivery of this key piece of infrastructure that will aid future growth for the city.

This project is on hold pending a decision from Public Transport Victoria as to the locations of tram stops in Elizabeth and Flinders Streets. In the meantime, we have undertaken due diligence and preparatory research so we are ready to prepare material for consultation as soon as a decision has been made.

Highlights

New idea for a Heritage Lane

A creative new paving design in Literature Lane balances heritage values with the need for safe access. As part of our Streetscape Improvements Program, original bluestone pitchers in the lane were individually lifted, sawn flat and then re-laid to maintain the classic laneway look while ensuring a level-walking surface.

New crossings get thumbs up from residents

Zebra pedestrian crossings and kerb extensions were installed in Bellair and Eastwood streets to improve safety and access in the Kensington railway pedestrian underpass. The crossings were well-received by locals, with one resident telling us, “Kensington is a great place to live and these thoughtful improvements make it even better.”

40 is the new 50 for Kensington

A popular community survey resulted in a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h in all previously 50 km/h local roads in Kensington. Sixty per cent of the 643 respondents supported the proposal, which aims to reduce the likelihood and severity of accidents involving vulnerable road users, such as walkers, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Alexandra Avenue bike ramp now complete

Cycling through South Yarra will be even easier now that the new bike ramp is complete. Part of our Bicycle Plan 2012–16, the ramp improves access for people walking and riding bikes and means that cyclists no longer need to dismount when travelling between the Main Yarra/Capital City Trail (along the Yarra River) and Alexandra Avenue and Morell Bridge.

Better bike links from the west

A new, wider off-road bike path along Dynon Road has provided a safer and more comfortable link for people riding their bikes from the western suburbs. The path will link to works currently underway in Lloyd Street and through to upgraded routes on Arden Street and Flemington Road in Kensington and North Melbourne.

City Road Master Plan

The City Road Master Plan will transform City Road to make it a safe and welcoming place for everyone. The Master Plan proposes a series of capital works projects, with an estimated total implementation cost of $38.5 million over a seven year period. The improvements include new signalised pedestrian crossings and intersections, a new bike route through Southbank, street trees, new street materials and furniture and upgrades to public spaces.

Last kilometre freight plan

The City of Melbourne’s Last Kilometre Freight Plan was endorsed by Council in June. Last kilometre freight is at the heart of how our city works. It is the last leg of the journey of goods into our shops, cafes, restaurants, offices and homes. Efficient freight movement improves liveability, economic prosperity and sustainability. The Plan was developed to realise our vision to foster innovative and low-impact freight in central Melbourne, whilst ensuring the central city is designed for people with safe and convivial streets and a prosperous central city for business. It identifies actions to ensure last kilometre freight is considered as our city grows and changes.

How we’re performing against our indicators of progress

The City of Melbourne aims for several outcomes over the four years of its Council Plan 2013–17. We measure progress by the indicators below.

Projected outcome

People and goods can move efficiently within the municipality

Indicator

The number of street connections that allow pedestrian movement in the municipality.

Average connections per block for pedestrians

2013–14: 0.88

2014–15: 0.88

2015–16: 0.87

Average footpath space out of total carriageway area

2013–14: 19%

2014–15: 19%

2015–16: 19.53%

Our progress

The number of pedestrian street connections is measured in two ways. The first relates to the average connections per block allowing pedestrians to travel safely from one side of the street to the other, and from one street to another, including via mid-block pedestrian crossings, lanes and arcades. The second measure relates to the average area of footpaths, roads and nature-strips combined that is devoted to pedestrians. This year, the average connections per block and footpath space remained unchanged.

Projected outcome

More people walking, cycling or using public transport to travel to and from the municipality

Indicator

The proportional change in the number of city users reporting walking or cycling as the main mode of travelling to and within the municipality.

Percentage walking or cycling to and within the city

2013–14: 25.3% decrease (to the city)

2013–14: 7% increase (within the city)

Our progress

Updated results for 2012–13 include a proportional change to the baseline data reported on previously from the Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity and exclude regional residents (those living outside greater Melbourne). These results show that in 2013–14, while people reported walking or cycling to the city less often, walking trips within the municipality increased.

Priorities and actions

A total of 12 actions and activities were completed under Goal 6, a connected city. Five actions not completed in 2015–16 will continue to be delivered in the 2016–17 financial year. Some relate to projects that span multiple years and some were delayed due to unforeseeable external factors.

Our 4-year priorities are…

Our 2015–16 focus was…

Over the next year we will…

Expand and prioritise a connected, safe and easy to access pedestrian network

Implement actions from the Walking Plan including upgrading pedestrian traffic signals along Elizabeth Street, Exhibition Street and Russell Street, installing new zebra crossings within the central city and across the municipality, installing new shared zones within the central city and lowering speed limits on local Kensington roads to 40 km/h

Exhibit a planning scheme amendment to require, in future, walking links through city blocks

Status: Ongoing

Implement the Walking Plan

Make the municipality more bicycle friendly through our Bicycle Plan 2012-16 and endorse a new bicycle plan by March 2016

Complete the Bike Plan 2012–16, including Year 4 projects such as the installation of Arden Street, Epsom Road and Smithfield Road bike lanes and the installation of additional bike hoops and bike corrals across the municipality, as well as outstanding actions carried over from the previous years

Status: New Action in 2016-17

Implement the Bike Plan

Implement the Transport Strategy 2012 for flexible and adaptable private transport, effective and integrated public transport and efficient urban freight, so as to:

Investigate and advocate for more city pick-up points and greater services for the NightRider bus

Status: Completed

(Major Initiative) Continue to work with the Victorian Government on the Melbourne Metro Rail Project, including coordinating the City of Melbourne's response to Environment Effects Statement planning process

Consult on the development of a Master Plan for Spencer Street, focusing on the area around Southern Cross Station

(Major Initiative) Seek endorsement from Council to consult on the Draft Elizabeth Street Strategic Opportunities Plan and consult on design options for the southern end of Elizabeth Street

Review the Car Share Policy

Work with the Victorian Government to progress a planning scheme amendment for the purposes of revising off-street bicycle and motorcycle parking requirements and facilities in the municipality

Engage in the development of plans for the Western Distributor and advocate Council's position consistent with council policy

Develop a coordinated approach to the Flinders Street Station Precinct that builds on individual projects (MMRA, PTV, Elizabeth Street etc.) to improve the overall amenity of the precinct

Facilitate access by water transport in the municipality

Continue to facilitate the introduction of a water transport - ferry service between the Docklands and Federation Square

Status: Completed

Work supporting this priority is included in our regular business for the year

New Action

In order to move towards the creation of a 'Fly Neighbourly Advice', undertake the preparatory analysis and stakeholder discussions identified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority so as to enable the Council to consider recommendations by February 2016